Long Road Festival
Long Road Festival takes place at Stanford Hall this weekend
CARRIE Underwood, Una Healy, Lee Ann Womack and The Shires are just some of the world’s biggest stars set to perform at The Long Road Festival near Hinckley.
The major country, Americana and roots festival will descend onto the grounds of Stanford Hall from Friday September 7 to Sunday September 9.
Recent additions to the lineup include winner of UK Artist of the Year at the 2018 Americana Artist Awards Emily Barker and Nashville-based singersongwriter Erin Rae.
The American Music Association UK are also bringing an array of acts to the festival including Banjo Jen, The Luck, The Marriage, Case Hardin, The Southern Companion and Elles Bailey.
BBC Music Introducing have partnered with the festival, who announced the rising star artists selected to perform on their stage, which will be fronted by presenter of BBC Radio 2’s weekly country show Bob Harris.
Those rising star artists include The Adelaides, Emma Moore, Little Folk, Painting Box and Jess Morgan.
Creative Director Baylen Leonard, said: “After months of planning, I’m so excited The Long Road is now just around the corner!
“We can’t wait to welcome artists and fans from around the world to our inaugural year and celebrate together how far country and Americana music has come in the UK.”
Much more than just a music festival, The Long Road will embrace all aspects of the country and Americana scene and, alongside its live music offerings, will incorporate an array of themed activities, workshops and retreats, providing festival goers with a unique, authentic country music lifestyle experience.
From the woodlands to the lake, visitors are urged to get in touch with their wild side by taking a dip and going lake swimming, allowing you to enjoy a unique view of the festival site.
An excursion into the historic woodland will allow you to learn the art of foraging, and give you the opportunity to take a walk through the trail, with or without a canine best-friend - who have this year been invited back to the event.
Experience the reality of outdoor-American living by the firebowls, toasting marshmallows and singing-along with the fireside musicians.
For those who want to get handy, and stuck into some arts and crafts, there are a range of activities on offer.
New skills can be learnt through the art of wooden spoon making, to guitar cigar box making and feather and jewellery crafting.
Get a feel for metal work and the intricacy of jewellery making with Dalia Saunders, explore the skills of survival and bushcraft with Dave Watson or join Linda Adkins in deisgning some unique leather goods.
If the weekend gets too much, escape the hustle and bustle and swap for Health and Happiness in a range of workshop programmes that include dynamic yoga, gentle restorative yoga, family mindfulness play, and movement into dance and voice.
Enjoy relaxation in the various forms of massages available, from one of the skilled therapists who can be found in private tents across the event.
If you are feeling prestige, visitors can check themselves into the VIP area, for prime view of the main stage at The Long Road, with the mighty Stanford Hall as your backdrop.
An undercover bar and seating area will shelter you from the good old British weather, and home-cooking traders wil, be on-hand to serve up a selection of fine wine, beers, spirits and soft drinks.
The fancy pants ticket is available at a cost of £30 to experience the high-life, each day.
A variety of drinks will be available from the numerous bars, bringing the true spirit of America to the woodland.
From their flagship bourbon and Buffalo Trace Kentucky Whiskey to fan favourites Eagle Rare and Sazerac Rye, the Front Porch and Honky Tonk bar, are ensured to have thirst under control.
Foodies can experience the true taste of America, diving into the classic mac’ and cheese, slow cooked meats and gastronomic delights, landing you into food heaven.
From Smokey Tails BBQ, to Vegan-friendly junk food and the delight of pizza dough, there is no doubt that festival goers will be going hungry with plenty of culinary delights to tuck into.
Not just for adults, the festival also offers Kids Day Camp, where helpful Camp Councillors will be on-hand to ensure that children enjoy the Long Road Adventure too.
With several different activities, camps, games and challenges to choose from, children are promised to be entertained by the facilities on offer.
Whether they want to get stuck in at the sandpits and mud kitchens, be apart of the audience for the theatrical shows, or get creative in the crafts tent, children will be just as entertained as adults.
The campsites will open at 11am on Friday, and must be vacated by 12noon on Monday.
The festival area will open from 3pm on Friday, with entertainment provided by the world’s biggest stars, due to commence early evening.
Following this the arena will open at 11am both Saturday and Sunday for a full day of dancing, singing and celebrations.
The full festival line-up is available online at https://www.thelongroad.com/line-up/.
Tickets are now in final release phase and start from £45, weekend tickets without camping will cost approximately £99 and with camping from £125.
Tickets can be purchased from www.thelongroad.com.